Human-Wildlife Conflict

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Richprins
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Re: Human-Wildlife Conflict

Post by Richprins »

Some community members cut the fences to Kruger for "excursions", or just fencing supplies... O-/


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Re: Human-Wildlife Conflict

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Then they will have to find the ones damaging the fence and make them pay or with money or with jail 0=


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Re: Human-Wildlife Conflict

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Lions are less likely to attack cattle with eyes painted on their backsides

August 7, 2020 - Neil R Jordan, Lecturer, UNSW | Cameron Radford, PhD Candidate, UNSW | Tracey Rogers, Associate Professor Evolution & Ecology, UNSW

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“Eye cows” Bobby-Jo Photography

The predation of livestock by carnivores, and the retaliatory killing of carnivores as a result, is a major global conservation challenge. Such human-wildlife conflicts are a key driver of large carnivore declines and the costs of coexistence are often disproportionately borne by rural communities in the global south.

While current approaches tend to focus on separating livestock from wild carnivores, for instance through fencing or lethal control, this is not always possible or desirable. Alternative and effective non-lethal tools that protect both large carnivores and livelihoods are urgently needed.

In a new study we describe how painting eyes on the backsides of livestock can protect them from attack.

Many big cats – including lions, leopards, and tigers – are ambush predators. This means that they rely on stalking their prey and retaining the element of surprise. In some cases, being seen by their prey can lead them to abandon the hunt. We tested whether we could hack into this response to reduce livestock losses to lions and leopards in Botswana’s Okavango delta region.

This delta, in north-west Botswana, has permanent marshlands and seasonally flooded plains which host a wide variety of wildlife. It’s a Unesco world heritage site and parts of the delta are protected. However, though livestock are excluded, the cordon fence is primarily intended to prevent contact and disease transmission between cattle and Cape buffalo. Large carnivores, and other wildlife including elephants, are able to move freely across it, and livestock losses to large carnivores are common in the area. In response, lethal control through shooting and poisoning can occur.

While the initial focus of the study was ambush predators generally, it soon became clear that lions were responsible for most of it. During the study, for instance, lions killed 18 cattle, a leopard killed one beast, and spotted hyaenas killed three.

Ultimately, our study found that lions were less likely to attack cattle if they had eyes painted on their rumps. This suggests that this simple and cost-effective technique can be added to the coexistence toolbox, where ambush predators are involved.

Eye-catching solution

Conflict between farmers and wildlife can be intense along the borders of protected areas, with many communities bearing significant costs of coexisting with wildlife. The edge of the Okavango delta in Botswana is no exception, where farmers operate small non-commercial livestock enterprises.

Livestock rub shoulders with lions, leopards, spotted hyaenas, cheetahs, and African wild dogs. To protect the cattle, herds (anything between about six and 100 individual cattle) are kept within predator-proof enclosures overnight. However, they generally graze unattended for most of the day, when the vast majority of predation occurs.

Working with Botswana Predator Conservation and local herders, we painted cattle from 14 herds that had recently suffered lion attacks. Over four years, a total of 2,061 cattle were involved in the study.

Before release from their overnight enclosure, we painted about one-third of each herd with an artificial eye-spot design on the rump, one-third with simple cross-marks, and left the remaining third of the herd unmarked. We carried out 49 painting sessions and each of these lasted for 24 days.

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Nenguba Keitsumetsi demonstrates the eye-cow technique to local farmer, Rra Ketlogetswe Ramakgalo. Bobby-Jo Photography

The cattle were also collared and all foraged in the same area and moved similarly, suggesting they were exposed to similar risk. However the individuals painted with artificial eye-spots were significantly more likely to survive than unpainted or cross-painted control cattle within the same herd.

In fact, none of the 683 painted “eye-cows” were killed by ambush predators during the four-year study, while 15 (of 835) unpainted, and 4 (of 543) cross-painted cattle were killed.

These results supported our initial hunch that creating the perception that the predator had been seen by the prey would lead it to abandon the hunt.

But there were also some surprises.

Cattle marked with simple crosses were significantly more likely to survive than unmarked cattle from the same herd. This suggests that cross-marks were better than no marks at all, which was unexpected.

From a theoretical perspective, these results are interesting. Although eye patterns are common in many animal groups, notably butterflies, fishes, amphibians, and birds, no mammals are known to have natural eye-shaped patterns that deter predation. In fact, to our knowledge, our research is the first time that eye-spots have been shown to deter large mammalian predators.

Previous work on human responses to eye patterns however do generally support the detection hypothesis, perhaps suggesting the presence of an inherent response to eyes that could be exploited to modify behaviour in practical situations, such as to prevent human-wildlife conflicts, and reduce criminal activity in humans.

Possible limitations

First, it is important to realise that, in our experimental design, there were always unmarked cattle in the herd. Consequently, it is unclear whether painting would still be effective if these proverbial “sacrificial lambs” were not still on the menu. Further research could uncover this, but in the meantime applying artificial marks to the highest-value individuals within the herd may be most pragmatic.

Second, it is important to consider habituation, meaning that predators may get used to and eventually ignore the deterrent. This is a fundamental issue for nearly all non-lethal approaches. Whether the technique remains effective in the longer term is not yet known in this case.

Protecting livestock from wild carnivores – while conserving carnivores themselves – is an important and complex issue that requires the application of a suite of tools, including practical and social interventions. While adding the eye-cow technique to the carnivore-livestock conflict prevention toolbox, we note that no single tool is likely to be a silver bullet. Indeed, we must do better than a silver bullet if we are to ensure the successful coexistence of livestock and large carnivores. Nevertheless, as part of an expanding non-lethal toolkit, we hope that this simple, low-cost approach could reduce the costs of coexistence for some farmers.

Dr J Weldon McNutt (Director, Botswana Predator Conservation) and Tshepo Ditlhabang (Coexistence Officer, Botswana Predator Conservation) contributed to this article.


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Re: Human-Wildlife Conflict

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:shock:


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Re: Human-Wildlife Conflict

Post by Klipspringer »

You should also paint some eyes on the back of your head when you have a braai in an unfenced camp in area known for man-eating leopards and lions lol


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Re: Human-Wildlife Conflict

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I am very skeptic too O**


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City of Cape Town defends removal of beloved Kommetjie baboon, Kataza

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By Theolin Tembo Time published Sep 2, 2020

Cape Town - The City of Cape Town has defended the removal of Kataza, the baboon who was recently removed from the Kommetjie area by Human and Wildlife Solutions (HWS) team.

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The baboon was reportedly removed from his home in Kommetjie last week and re-homed in Tokai, which upset animal activists and residents. Attempts have been made to lure him back, with a Bring Kataza Back Facebook page, setup to keep track of his whereabouts.

Mayco Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Marian Nieuwoudt said: “I am aware that some animal activists do not agree with the recent relocation of a male baboon from the Slangkop Troop to Tokai. This male was born in the Slangkop Troop and began to inbreed.

“He was also splintering the group and compromising the welfare of the whole troop. Being young and healthy, it was decided to relocate him to the northern sub-population where his chances of outbreeding are greatly improved, and with that, the genetic health of any offspring.

“The male baboon was sighted by baboon rangers where he was interacting with several female baboons in the Tokai Troop on Sunday, 30 August 2020,” she said.

“Unfortunately, we have been informed that animal activists have since attempted to lure the male baboon back to Kommetjie during the course of Tuesday, 1 September 2020.”
Bring Kataza Back (Facebook Group)
on Tuesday
Thank you to all of YOU amazing people who have made possible the magic of today. You have added your voice, your time, your willingness. You offered space blankets, food, phone chargers and so many kinds of solidarity. You people were willing to walk the mountain on an icy late afternoon in a wild wind; to drive across town to show up for this which you believed in. Many of you have offered your skill and support and willingness to be called on and share your capacity tomorrow or in the future.
Here is a huge THANK YOU to all of you, for all of this.
You rock!
To have compassion for the the earth and her creatures is powerful. Thank you for being moved, on an inner level, and allowing that to translate through to worldly action.

We stood together in our #WeCannotAccept
We stood together to #BringKatazaBack

Thank you for the many inbox messages and hearty offers. We will not be able to respond to each one. We are busy collating the videos and story of this amazing day. Watch this space - you're gong to love the videos.
Kataza is not yet home but we have an agreement that he will be returned to his troop in Kommetjie.

Thank you to the courageous women who have been out on the ground. May Kataza be rest peacefully tonight and be safely home with his family tomorrow.

#LivingwithWildAnimalsIsAPrivelege
#ReviewBaboonManagementStrategyNow
#StopKillingourBaboons
#COCT
#CityOfCapeTown
Source: https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/ci ... b3b45d90f6


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Re: City of Cape Town defends removal of beloved Kommetjie baboon, Kataza

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Bring Back Kataza campaigners making strides to bring him home

Published by Lucinda Dordley on September 2, 2020

Residents of the Cape Peninsula have united in efforts to ensure a baboon, affectionately named Kataza, remains safe. He was allegedly taken from his home in Kommetjie last week and re-homed with another hostile troupe of baboons in Tokai by the City.

According to the Bring Kataza Back Facebook page, he “is a baboon of the Cape Peninsula who has been kidnapped from his troop and dumped in hostile territory”.

“We call for Kataza’s return to his home troupe and his baby. We also call for a review to the cruel and ineffective baboon management system,” the post reads.

The group has been tracking the animal’s movements, with spottings posted daily. He’s most often reported to look confused, dazed and bewildered as he searches for his troupe. According to the City, a factor in Kataza’s relocation is better breeding opportunities.

City spokesperson Kay Montgomery has confirmed that Kataza was temporarily removed from the area and this has aided in making the troop more manageable and keep them out of Kommetjie. Residents said the troop still made their way into Kommetjie despite Kataza’s absence.

“As the SPCA we would welcome humane alternatives, such as relocation, as opposed to the premature euthanasia of raiding baboon(s) provided that it complies with relevant legislation and that the management had the best interest of the baboon(s) in mind when this decision was made. We are not of the opinion that the baboon was abandoned or dumped, but rather that he was provided an opportunity to adapt to a new environment and troop in the hopes of eliminating dispersing/raiding behaviour,” says SPCA inspector Lizl Pienaar.

Source: https://www.capetownetc.com/news/cape-p ... of-baboon/


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Re: City of Cape Town defends removal of beloved Kommetjie baboon, Kataza

Post by Flutterby »

Allison Thomson

.
19 h ·
My blood boils with anger when I see the disgusting behaviour of HWS. Today they were up very early and chased Kataza back into Tokai. What disgusts me more is the fact that the City spin doctors have taken to misinforming the public in full page editorials about how dangerous baboons are etc. This city is DA run and in 2016 the DA proudly announced that they were the only party that formally recognized animals as sentient beings capable of feeling the same pain and emotions as human beings but yet they have and continue to persecute them in such an atrocious manner. Enough is enough - as law abiding citizens we want answers and we want this madness to cease immediately. Every day Kataza makes great progress in fighting his way home and daily he is chased back into an environment he desperately wants to escape. They are obviously desperately hoping that he gets hit by a car or injured so that they can then euthanize him. They are too full of their own importance to admit that what they did was a mistake and return him home so they are going to continue to persecute him to death! STOP THIS MADNESS!


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Re: City of Cape Town defends removal of beloved Kommetjie baboon, Kataza

Post by Flutterby »

Moving videos and images show relocated Kataza following Baboon Matters activist Jenni Trethowan through the Silvermine Reserve.
(This article has been updated)

The issue that has been trending on Facebook in the South Peninsula among animal activists is that of Kataza the baboon from Slangkop.

South Peninsula baboon Katana was recently removed by the City of Cape Town's Human and Wildlife Solutions (HWS) team and relocated to Tokai, where one academic argues he is integrating with a new troop and has been approached by females there.

There appears to be no empirical evidence of this though many locals have posted photographs of Kataza alone and seemingly trying to find his way home to Slangkop in Kommetjie though this has been disputed by the City and HWS.

On Tuesday things came to a head when Kataza was seen breaking through into the Silvermine Reserve in an attempt to find his way home.

Animal activists lead by Babbon Matters NGO's Jenni Trethowan tracked him and accompanied him on his journey.

The situation became tense and locals posted photographs that there were traps on an HWS bakkie on SIlvermine and they were concerned that the trap may have been intended to capture Kataza. It has now been stated that this trap was not for Kataza but had been used to release another male nearby.

After Alderman Felicity Purchase intervened, the City of Cape Town allegedly promised not to kill Kataza and that he would be allowed to return to his home, but Trethowan understood that Purchase was not the decision-maker in this case.

However, on Wednesday locals reported that HWS was out early in the morning forcing Kataza back into Tokai. Professor Justin O' Raianhas subsequently responded that HWS is clear that BTT guidelines prevent them from interfering with a baboon.

Kataza was sighted near the Steenberg Golf Estate and Pollsmoor Prison, where residents in the area reported that he was being chased by HWS monitors, but subsequently, this has been denied by O' Raian who HWSsnever trap baboons and does not interfere with them.

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Sally Sivewright
@SallySivewright
From being trapped in a suburban jail of electric fences and busy roads, Kataza made it back onto the mountain this afternoon #bringkatazaback @BaboonMatters #wildlife #conservation

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